Raleigh, N.C. (Feb. 28, 2008)—For the fifth consecutive year, North Carolina’s Touchstone Energy cooperatives are proud to sponsor the Touchstone Energy Open, a tournament on the National Golf Association (NGA) Hooters Tour. Brook Valley Country Club in Greenville will host the event, and proceeds will benefit the Ronald McDonald House of eastern North Carolina. The tournament will be held April 14-20, 2008.

The Ronald McDonald House provides temporary residence and refuge to families who have loved ones under serious medical care at nearby hospitals. Located near Eastern Carolina’s Children’s Hospital, the home gives families a place to eat, sleep, relax, and support and comfort loved ones undergoing extensive medical treatment. Currently, 20 percent of families in need of assistance at this organization are military families.

“Raising money for the Ronald McDonald House through the Touchstone Energy Open is a great partnership for the 850,000 members of the state’s electric cooperatives and is consistent with keeping the core Touchstone Energy value of commitment to community,” said Jane Pritchard, director of corporate communications for North Carolina’s Touchstone Energy cooperatives.

The NGA Hooters Tour is the third largest professional golf circuit in the United States, and more than 150 golfers will compete for a first-place purse of at least $25,000 at the 72-hole Touchstone Energy Open. This tour is a vehicle for rising stars in the world of golf. David Toms, Jim Furyk, Tom Lehman, Chad Campbell and Ben Curtis are among today’s PGA players who got their start on the NGA Hooters Tour. Alumni of the Hooters Tour have won eight majors.

“It is very exciting for North Carolina’s Touchstone Energy cooperatives to bring professional golf and tourism to the eastern part of the state,” Pritchard added.

North Carolina’s electric cooperatives serve more than 2.5 million people in 93 of the state’s 100 counties.